Impossible to schedule a darn MRI 😭😭

Giselle20

I am so beyond frustrated I don't know how I am keeping it together right now.

I was given approval for a Unilateral Left Breast MRI mid to end February. Because my period had passed I was told to wait for the following month. I started again on a friday night at like 6 pm. The MRI appointment center is only open M-F 7:30am to 4:30pm. If only I had started a couple hrs earlier. The weekend goes by and I call to schedule, BUT THEY ARE ALREADY ALL BOOKED AT ALL LOCATIONS. So now I have to wait another month until April.

I counted out around 30 days which is typically how long my cycle is give or take a few days. Again it lands on the weekend. So I wait for the time to pass and pray I start early Friday morning. The Friday rolls around and nothing. Instead of waiting for Monday I call in the afternoon around 3:40pm before they close. I tell the woman what happened the previous month and let her know I have not yet started but I should in the next two days. I specifically ask if it is ok to call ahead and schedule to which she says it is totally fine. So my appointment is set for may 10th at 12pm. I ask again if it's OK and she says yes.

So may 10th rolls around I made sure to wear leggings, a t-shirt, a underwire free bra, and slip on shoes. I had gotten a cd copy of my ultrasound from February 1 as well as the written report, I had gone to the facilities website and printed all the needed documents and filled them out. I made sure to leave EARLY, on route there was construction around the area so I barely made it. I go to the receptionist to check in I tell her my name and appointment time and she immediately gives me attitude for being late. She pulls up my file and says I'm at the wrong office that I was supposed to go to another facility maybe 2 miles down. She starts scolding me about how if I had gone early I would have if I was lucky possibly made it to the other location. So my appointment was automatically canceled.

I am not an outspoken person by any means and I hate drama. So I'm just standing there listening to her being polite. I ask if there is any way to have the mri done later that day because to my understanding (I was told by the scheduling lady) this facility only does a breast mri 7-12 days after the first day of your period and that day (may 10) was the 12th day after my period and I would hate to have to wait another month yet again. I was assuming that they would push all MRIs up so maybe they could squeeze me in at the end of the day. She says no but gives me the number of the facility I was supposed to go to and says they maybe can arrange something.

I call the nuber tell the girl what's going on and she says if she could call me back, that she would tell her supervisor to see if anything could be done. I was assuming she would call me back in may an hour or two but nothing so I called back 3 hours later. A new girl answers I tell her how I was supposed to be called back, so she pulls up my file and says the person made a note in my file but didn't actually inform any supervisor. So I tell the new girl what happened and she tried to figure something out for me. Ultimately she transfers me to the head of her department.

The new girl immediately let's me know that major mistakes were made when scheduling my appointment. Not only was I given the wrong location they are only supposed to schedule breast MRIs 7-10 days after they first day of you period not 12. So even if they had an opening I would still be unelgible for the darn MRI that day. As well that other important info was not gathered and that the person did not put their name on the log for the file.

Now I know because of research that the MRI can technically be done up to 15 days out so I ask if they could make an exception and take me in the slot they offered me for the same day at 8pm in another city. And she said no the radiologist will only do it between the 7-10 days. And that unfortunately I would have to wait another month.

I had a good cry after that.

So right now here I am almost a month later my period is supposed to star around monday the 28th (that's 30 days from the fist day of my lats period) or if I'm "lucky" again I will start on the weekend.

And now if you have made it to the end, my question.

Would it be unreasonable for me to ask maybe beg to rush the results? This is a diagnostic MRI I believe.

I have been trying since February to get the MRI. I had to ask my physician multiple times and then wait for insurance approvale. And then the ordeal with scheduling. I just can't wait the extra week or two to hear an answer I feel I have been patient long enough. I was compliant of the rules and both time's the issue was on their end. IT IS NOT FAIR !!!!!

Sorry for the rant.

Feel free to share your experiences too!

gb2115

Is your doctor concerned that the MRI keeps getting pushed back? I know around here they will only do it in that specific window.

MelissaDallas

I don't think her doctor is concerned. She is 20 or 21 and had clear testing but wanted the MRI.

Duckmomma

I’m so sorry you have had to wait all that time while being worried. If it were me I would ask for rushed results. You must be freaking out. I had them catch an unknown something on my ovary from an abdominal ct scan. Seemed like a big deal when’s the doctor called me in to tell me about it. It then took months to schedule an mri and get the results. Meanwhile I was freaking out about the mass on my ovary. I definitely feel you’re pain. Mine turned out to be a calcified cyst which was identified when I had the ovary removed shortly after. Hang in there.

gb2115

Got it, so with otherwise clear results--in that case, sounds inconvenient but all you can do is stay the course and try to eventually get it scheduled. The problem with having the MRI done outside of the window is the possibility of false positives, leading to unnecessary biopsy. Biopsies aren't the worst thing to ever go through, but having been through a couple, I would do all I can do avoid unnecessary ones!!!

Giselle20

I mentioned this to my doctor but she says there is not much she can do especially since it is outsourced to an indipendent imaging facility.

Because I am 20 I only had an ultrasound which did come back clear.

I get alot about how because I'm young its impossible that it's going to be bad that I'm essentially off the hook. To stop looking for thing that aren't there wasting my time. But the thing is even if it's the most miniscule chance, it is still there.

I understand that yes there is maybe a 5% if not less chance that it will be cancer especially given there is no strong genetic history. But I also know that no test is perfect. And that cancer is unforgiving and doesn't care if your young or old. And that even if there is no family history you are not immune.

I thank god every day I was born in a country where these test are even available and covered by my insurance. So forgive me for doing all I can and that's in my power to get more information on the issue.

All women regardless of age should be given the same level of importance and not simply be told it's nothing.